Media Coverage

Using data from CAG's Fair Fares report, this article makes the point that progressive urban transport schemes such as the free bus scheme for women in Tamil Nadu have personal and societal benefits that work at different levels in different sections of the population.
 

CAG's report on the TNPCB and its functions through a retrospective analysis throws up useful findings which, if implemented, could serve to strengthen the organisation's primary role as custodians for preventing and controlling all forms of pollution.

As the Tambaram Corporation outsources waste management of waste generated by Bulk Waste Generators (BWG), Vamsi Shankar, Senior Researcher, CAG comments that the main consideration with any waste handling protocol is that it does not go on to harm the environment. Dry waste handling techniques that cause air pollution, he says, is a case in point.

Afroz, Researcher, Citizen consumer and civic Action Group, participated in the recent 'No Burn Chennai' event, and spoke about the ill-effects of incinerators. As incinerators are being increasingly promoted as a solution to plastic pollution, organisation at the event explained why burning plastic waste was a false, 'greenwashing' solution.

நுகர்வோர்களை தவறாக வழிநடத்தும் உணவு பொருட்களின் விளம்பரங்கள், தீவிர பதப்படுத்தப்பட்ட உணவின் உடல்நல பாதிப்புகள், உணவு கலப்படத்தின் ஆபத்துகள்,போன்றவை, மக்களால் அதிகம் அறியப்படாதவை. இப்போக்கை எதிர்கொள்ள கடுமையான உணவு பாதுகாப்பு சட்டம் , மற்றும் அவற்றின் அமலாக்கத்தின் அவசியத்தை CAG நிர்வாக இயக்குனர் சரோஜா வலியுறுத்துகிறார்.

Construction debris dumping becomes a marked problem across the city, even though SWM by-laws state that construction and debris waste generators must plan disposal measures before commencing a project. Vamsi Shankar Kapilavai, senior researcher at CAG, talks about the need for better enforcement which in turn needs adequate budgetary allocation.

A baseline study on climate literacy in Tamil Nadu was conducted as part of the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission by CAG for the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Tamil Nadu. The findings of the study emphasise the need for enhancing the climate literacy in schools and colleges. 

A study by CAG exploring the intriguing correlation between ambient air quality and instances of violent crime in Chennai, has been featured by the press. While the study finds a weak correlation between the two, the aim has been to further impress on the need for maintaining healthy air quality.

Quoting CAG's study on the impact of the free bus travel scheme for women, this article explains that the scheme has been a lifeline to the transport corporations  which were facing losses and fund shortages. Sowmya.K, researcher, CAG, says that even free schemes need to heed the voices of its beneficiaries. Crowding remains a significant concern for women using these buses; this would ease if the scheme was extended to all bus types similar to other concession schemes available. 

As the population of Chennai grows, it is crucial that we consider the city's mobility landscape, and the changes needed in it. Presently, our streets cater primarily to motor vehicles. To truly achieve sustainable and safe mobility accessible for all, we must prioritise walking, cycling, and public transport, says Sowmya K, researcher, CAG.

Our analysis of TNPCB official’s organisational structure, leadership dynamics, and operational capacity from 2017-2022 has been highlighted in DT Next. For a detailed understanding, we invite you to read the full report at bit.ly/TNPCBstatus.

Our recent report, which examines the functions of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, highlights areas where the TNPCB needs to focus in order to further enhance their efforts and efficiency in working towards environmental protection.